Friday 3 July 2009 03.51 EDT
First published on Friday 3 July 2009 03.51 EDT

The South African centre Gcobani Bobo has agreed a two-year contract with Newcastle after bringing to an end a nine-year first-class career in South Africa.

The 29-year-old won the last of his six Springbok caps in the victory over Italy in June 2008 and he played for Western Province in their narrow defeat by the British and Irish Lions last month. He missed only one game for the Stormers in this year's Super 14. "I'll certainly miss the camaraderie here in South Africa," he said. "But it's an exciting and new challenge for me. Rugby is a professional sport and opportunities to move abroad will, at some point, present themselves. I am excited about moving to England and hopefully I can utilise my talents in another country and for a new and ambitious team."

The Guinness Premiership season begins at the start of September with the Falcons opening their campaign at Leeds and Bobo and his new Newcastle team-mates can also look forward to the European Challenge Cup. "I've always enjoyed England, having been there a few times on tour, and without trying to sell other countries short I felt it would be an easier move to make in terms of fitting in, speaking the language and knowing the players I will be playing with and against," Bobo added.

"The Guinness Premiership is a tough league and the European competitions are a great way to see new places and experience new cultures. The nice thing, however, is that I will continue to test myself against some of the world's top players - only in a different environment."

Bobo, the 15th new arrival at Kingston Park this summer, will head for England later this month once all visa requirements have been met and is looking forward to playing alongside the Newcastle captain and former New Zealand front row Carl Hayman as well as the new fly-half Jimmy Gopperth, who he played against during the 2009 Super 14.

"Newcastle have lost a few senior players in recent times but they have made some shrewd new signings and they have a lot of talented youngsters who have played for England at Saxons or Sevens level," said Bobo. "It's an exciting time for the club, and we, as this new crop of players, have a fantastic opportunity to kick-start a brand new era at Newcastle Falcons."